Greetings!

Your monthly updates are here! We hope you find the following employer topics and reminders useful, and encourage you to reach out should you have any questions. As always, feel free to pass this along to anyone who may also find this information of value to their business.
Masks & Distancing Restrictions Lifted for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
On May 13th, the CDC made an announcement that Americans who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear a face covering or practice physically distancing in any setting. Individuals are considered "fully vaccinated" if they have received both doses of Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine, and at least two weeks have passed. Guidance has also been released regarding "safe activities" based on an individual's vaccination status.
What does this mean for employers?

  • Don't be quick to eliminate mask policies, as CDC guidance does NOT override local, state, or federal rules on mask use.
  • Be on the lookout for further guidance from OSHA and other local/state governments before creating any workplace changes.
  • Remember OSHA's current guidance recommends that employers do NOT distinguish between workers who are fully vaccinated and those who are not.
  • For non-employees (customers, etc.): businesses must consider whether and/or how to collect vaccine information from individuals. Keep in mind, some states have barred "vaccine passports", meaning a business may not require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry for customers or third-parties.
Employers in certain industries must make written job offers to employees whom were laid off due to COVID-19. Employees have 5 business days to respond, with the offered job awarded by seniority. This law mostly affects hotels, event centers, private clubs, airport services, and janitorial services.

CALIFORNIA
SB 93:
REHIRING & RETENTION LAW
Restaurant Sales Fully Recovered in April
Food services and drinking places generated $64.9 billion in sales in April according to retail and sales data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. This is a 3% increase from March, and more than doubled from April 2020. Notably, it was up 2% over April 2019, which indicates the industry has effectively returned to a more "normal" revenue state. Sales are still 5% below where they should be had there been no pandemic (accounting for industry growth linear to rate of inflation), however, this still remains a sign of recovery for restaurants. Various forms of industry spending (fast food, casual dining, delivery) also appear to be up over 2019 levels.
Though the deadline has passed for CA Pay Data Reporting , California employers have until May 31, 2021 to submit their data with NO PENALTY. Employers with 100 or employees must report pay and hours-worked by establishment, job category, sex, race, and ethnicity HERE. Contact our team for help in iSolved to run the appropriate report!

REMINDER:
CA PAY DATA REPORTING
Proposed Changes to Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards
On May 7, 2021, Cal/OSHA submitted significant proposed revisions to the ETS, which the Cal/OSHA Standards Board will consider at its May 20th meeting. The proposed revisions include changes across almost the entire ETS regulatory landscape, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Updating definitions of the terms: "place of employment", "exposed workplace", "face covering", "fully vaccinated", and "close contact".
  • New training requirement for vaccine information
  • Changing physical distancing requirements for fully vaccinated employees
  • Conditions in which an employer does not need to pay exclusion pay
  • Written COVID-19 exposure notices
June 30, 2021 is the registration deadline for employers with more than 50 employees
Restaurant Labor Shortage
As dining has made its return to US market, we cannot say the same for its workforce. Restaurants and bars added around 176,000 jobs in March, but the sector was still 15% below pre-pandemic employment level. Economists have suggested this shift may be caused by a variety of factors including unemployment benefits, negative image of industry, child care, and more. With this spike in restaurant sales and significant dip in employment, businesses are encouraged to adapt new technologies, focus on efficiency, and stay informed on the status of today's workforce.
REVERSING THE STAFFING CHALLENGE
WEBINAR ON-DEMAND!
We recently hosted a webinar for the Jack in the Box National Franchisee Association in which we discussed restaurant industry trends, best recruitment and hiring practices, resources, and more. Hosted by Payarc’s Cliff Carattini, restaurant executive of 30+ years, and featuring a Q&A with recruiting platform, Efficient Hire ATS.
Take a look at the recording with the link below!
📞(916) 757-6777


📍1430 Blue Oaks Blvd Suite 270
Roseville, CA 95747
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